Page 7 - Out Birding Issue 111 Summer 2023

Burton Mere Wetlands 25/02/2023
Six of us met in the car park on this cool bright morning. We proceeded to the visitor centre which was already fairly busy and managed to start our list from the windows overlooking the Scrape spo􏰀ng Lapwing as well as the many other to be expected species. In the lagoon plenty of Shelduck, Wigeon and Teal along with Oystercatcher, Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit on the banks.
Leaving the centre we set off along the path and stopped to observe the regular small birds, including a Nuthatch, visi􏰁ng the feeders and Long-tailed Tit in the shrubbery. Making our way to the Mere we stopped to observe a pair of Bullfinch just visible in a small tree. Spo􏰀ng a solitary Li􏰂le Grebe in the reedbed , we con􏰁nued to Marsh Covert Hide and had good sigh􏰁ngs of Great White Egret along with Grey Heron, Gadwall and Pintail. Ce􏰀’s Warbler was heard but not seen along with a Great Spo􏰂ed Woodpecker.
Finally reaching the Boarder Hide some had packed lunch and we added Redshank, Tu􏰃ed Duck and Li􏰂le Egret. A Water Rail was spo􏰂ed by some and Marsh Harrier and Buzzard flew overhead. Tom had to leave us here.
A walk then up the bank gave us panoramic views of the Dee Estuary and the Welsh hills but there was an icy wind and we decided to head back to the visitor centre mee􏰁ng up with Penny who had arrived late and was exploring on her own. A􏰃er hot drinks we checked out the Bunker Hide which was rela􏰁vely quiet.
A􏰃er saying goodbye to Penny and Simon we followed Paul to Burton Marshes, some- where I hadn't visited before, for a short walk and enjoyed watching some Stonechat in the reeds.
Pink-footed Geese, Redwing and Sparrowhawk later seen by Jules and Paul. A good total of 60 species noted in all. Thank you to Pat, Jules, Tom, Paul and Simon & Penny for a very successful day.
Jan
EWT Abberton Reservoir, Essex 25/03/2023
Abberton Reservoir, just a few miles south of Colchester, was the loca􏰁on of a lovely, if windy, morning’s birding. This reservoir, serving south Essex and north London, covers in excess of 1500 acres and is of interna􏰁onal importance with over 40,000 overwintering wildfowl.
Gathering by the visitor centre we established a plan to explore the small waterside reserve before moving to the two public causeways a􏰃er lunch. On the way to Gwen Hide we were welcomed by a number of climbing and singing Skylark. Carrion Crow, Great Tit and Pied Wagtail were also present. Once in the hide we se􏰂led to look over the water and were grateful for the shelter of the hide against the increasing breeze. The water held a variety of gulls, including Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull
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